Laparoscopy-assisted percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy using a "Funada-kit II" device

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy with jejunal extension for a post-esophagectomy gastric conduit

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is a minimally invasive procedure providing nutritional benefits to malnourished patients. Although a past history of celiotomy is not a contradiction for PEG construction, this procedure is rarely undertaken in post-esophagectomy patients, for two reasons: anatomically limited gastric spaces and high susceptibility to pulmonary aspiration. To overcome these limitations, we developed an original method of introducing PEG with jejunal extension for esophagectomized patients with retrosternal gastric pull-up reconstruction. The procedures were as follows: (1) confirmation of endoscopic transillumination of the antrum; (2) test puncture of the antral wall and subsequent gastropexy using a double-needle device; (3) insertion of a needle jejunostomy catheter into the antrum; (4) direct catheter cannulation to the pylorus and introduction of a feeding tube into the jejunum. We successfully carried out this procedure in three male patients (70-78 years old): two suffering from repetitive aspiration pneumonia and one with extensive recurrence of esophageal carcinoma. The operative times ranged 15-50 min. There were no PEG-associated complications. Of note, none of the patients experienced aspiration pneumonia after PEG construction. Our novel method appears to be a promising approach to managing esophagectomized patients because of its feasibility and the potential to prevent postoperative pulmonary aspiration.

Laparoscopic Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Is Useful for Elderly

Background:

In recent years, enteral nutrition has become relatively easy to perform through the penetration of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). However, there have been reports of complications, such as mispuncture of other organs at the time of performing PEG. Previously, we had constructed a gastrostomy under the laparotomy for difficult PEG cases, and 2 years ago, we introduced laparoscopically assisted PEG. This study aimed to clarify the feasibility and safety of LAPEG for elderly people over 65 years old.

Methods:

We evaluated the perioperative outcomes in 7 elderly patients who underwent LAPEG during these 2 years. In these subjects, the safety of LAPEG was evaluated retrospectively based on the surgical outcomes, perioperative complications, and postoperative course using the clinical archives.

Results:

The subjects' mean age was 81.1 ± 8.03 years. LAPEG was successful in all 7 patients. The median operation time was 38 minutes (range, 31–71 minutes). Intraoperative and postoperative early or late complications from LAPEG were not observed in our cases. Enteral nutrition was commenced 2 days after PEG placement in all cases without complications.

Conclusion:

We summarized the LAPEG cases performed at our institution for the elderly, and have reported its feasibility and safety. The strongest advantage of LAPEG was that it allowed placement of the PEG without any complication under direct observation of the intraperitoneal cavity to confirm the safety of each organ.

Laparoscopic-assisted percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy: insertion of a skin-level device using a tear-away sheath

BACKGROUND

This study describes our experience with the placement of a skin-level gastrostomy device (MIC-KEY) in a single procedure.

METHODS

We identified infants, children and young adults who underwent laparoscopic-assisted percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (LAPEG) tube insertion between October 2009 and June 2013. The steps of this procedure include upper endoscopy, single-port laparoscopy, gastropexy via percutaneous T-fasteners and placement of a skin-level gastrostomy device (MIC-KEY) using a "push" technique with a tear-away sheath.

RESULTS

We included 92 patients in our study. Mean age was 3.7 years (range 3 wk-5 yr), and mean weight was 11.2 (range 2.8-54) kg. Median procedural time was 20 (range 12-76) minutes. Total median duration for the most recent 25 procedures was lower than that of the first 25 (62 v. 79 min, p = 0.004). There were no intraoperative complications or conversions to open surgery. Postoperative complications were observed in 6 (6.5%) patients. Three retained T-fasteners were assessed endoscopically (n = 1) or removed via local excision (n = 2). Two patients experienced early dislodged feeding tubes that were replaced via interventional radiology (n = 1) or repeat LAPEG (n = 1). There was also 1 intra-abdominal fluid collection that was drained percutaneously but ultimately required a laparotomy and washout. There were no major complications in the most recent 50 procedures.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that LAPEG is a safe, minimally invasive procedure for infants, children and young adults. This approach allows for immediate use of a skin-level gastrostomy device without the need for postoperative tube exchanges.